There were no differences in BCL2 and BCL6 gene abnormalities between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma grade 3 with >75% follicular growth pattern.
We demonstrate that lymphoma cell lines and majority of NHL tumor specimens expressed BCL6 mRNA predominantly from the rearranged allele that may come under the control of various partner gene promoters.
The BCL6 gene mapped at chromosome band 3q27 encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor and is frequently rearranged and deregulated in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by promiscuous chromosomal translocations which involve diverse genes.
Our results are compatible with previous cytogenetic reports in which the 3q27 translocation was observed in 15-20% of NHL; however, patients with the LAZ3 rearrangements exhibited a wide range of clinico-pathologic characteristics.